Shirley Valentine star Tom Conti: 'I didn't want to be an actor'

THE Hollywood actor talks about his career and family life

Veteran actor Tom Conti began acting in the 1960s and still appears in Hollywood films. He rose to fame in a television series called The Glittering Prizes, then acted on Broadway. Conti was in the hit films Shirley Valentine, Reuben, Reuben and Merry Christmas Mr. Lawrence. More recently seen in The Dark Knight Rises, 73-year-old Conti lives in north London with his wife Kara. He has a daughter, the ventriloquist Nina Conti, and two grandchildren.

Tell us about your current role in Twelve Angry Men.

I play Juror Number 8, in what is a fascinating play about the deliberations of a murder trial jury.

How did your career start, and were you a natural at acting?

I suppose I was, but I didn’t want to be an actor. I wanted to be a musician – a conductor – and I went to music college with that intention, then decided I would go to drama school instead. Becoming a professional classical musician was looking like a very tough task. I studied acting in Glasgow, then moved to London for work.

What have been your favourite theatre roles so far?

The musical They’re Playing Our Song by Neil Simon. I also acted on Broadway in Whose Life Is It Anyway?, which opened doors for me in films and got me known in America.

I would like to swap places with Lewis Hamilton for 24 hours

Tom Conti

Shirley Valentine with Pauline Collins was a huge hit. Was it enjoyable?

Yes. Pauline and I should have been commissioned to be in another film, as we worked so well together but it never occurred to anyone to do that.

Did you ever think of moving to LA or New York?

At the time when I was being invited to lots of meetings, I thought LA probably wasn’t a safe city for my six-year-old, Nina, to grow up in. So we never moved there.

Are there any roles you’ve regretted turning down?

Of course, there have been a few corkers, which I can’t discuss. One I can mention was for a role with Meryl Streep. The director had decided Mandy Patinkin (Saul in Homeland) wasn’t suitable and they wanted me to fly over immediately and start filming. I couldn’t as I was contracted to another film. I think I’ve missed two or three chances to work with Meryl.

What are your plans for 2015?

I have a novel coming out, provisionally called A Dangerous Love. I’m also doing a play in autumn called Before The Party.